For years, Lamar Odom seemed to torment Dallas they way he did many opposing teams — there is no more versatile big man in the game, a guy who can grab the rebound and lead the fast break himself. He can play in the post or drain threes. He’s a matchup nightmare.

Then he has gotten to Dallas after a preseason trade and had his worst season as a pro. For a variety of reasons — he came into camp out of shape and after a rough personal offseason his game has never gotten on track. He is averaging a career low 6.8 points per game on 34 percent shooting. He went from a PER of 19.4 last year and being Sixth Man of the Year to 8.9 this year.

And Mavericks fans are letting him hear it. He is getting booed. He will again Tuesday night when the Mavericks host the Rockets.

“I’ve always had a lot of pride to play for the name on the back of my jersey. I’ve always been more prideful to play for the name that’s on the front of my jersey — whether it be USA or whether it be the Mavericks or the other team I came from. I always had a lot of pride.

“So it was a little confusing and a little hurtful, but it’s the sport world. I understand. We’re in a business that it’s all about what have you done lately, or the last game or the next game?”

Odom is a different cat from your average NBA player. He’s seen a lot more, been through a lot more. He’s not the best at compartmentalizing his life — what happens off the court impacts him on it — but he sees the bigger picture and that’s why he said he doesn’t get angry at the fans for the boos.

“I would say confused. I wouldn’t say angry, because there are a lot of sides to Lamar Odom, know what I mean? Sportsman is one of them. I’m a father, a husband, someone’s son, someone’s cousin. So there’s a lot of roles that I have to play in life. Basketball is just one of them. So I can’t let it get me angry because I have a lot of other roles to fulfill.”

Mavs fans can boo if they want. If it makes them feel better. But if they are going to have any chance at another deep playoff run, they are going to need to old Lamar Odom to show up.

the Wizards have shown little appetite for dealing Otto Porter anywhere for a return heavy on future assets and cap flexibility, sources say

John Wall‘s massive contract looked barely movable even before he underwent season-ending surgery. Washington seems unwilling to take a step back by trading star Bradley Beal.

So, that leaves unloading Porter – who’s earning $26,011,913 this year and due $55,739,815 over the next two seasons – as the obvious way to create cap flexibility and accumulate future assets. If the Wizards are unwilling to do that, it speaks volumes to their plan.

They don’t want to rebuild. They want to win now. Porter can help them do that.

In many ways, it’s noble Washington is so committed to winning, even at great expense. That’s generally what we want from teams. We don’t want them to give up or cut costs just because they’re a couple games out of playoff position midway through the season.

But the Wizards’ spending has been… uneven. Leonsis greenlit a payroll well into the luxury tax and is apparently willing to keep Porter, which likely keeps that payroll high. Yet, Washington is also holding as many roster spots vacant as allowed, offering small savings rather than adding depth amid multiple injuries.

Maybe the Wizards just don’t believe they could sign minimum-salary players who’d actually help. But insurance never hurts on the court.

So, Washington is left looking content holding its few major contracts, nickeling-and-diming down the roster, winning a barely moderate amount and not gaining better position for the future. I’m unconvinced that’s a worthy vision, but if that’s what the Wizards want, keeping Porter helps stay that course.

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for aggressively pursuing an opponent in an attempt to escalate a physical altercation and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, which took place after Smart was assessed his second technical foul and was ejected, occurred with 7:35 remaining in the third quarter of the Celtics’ 113-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 19

Smart was seemingly near the line between this fine and a suspension. He’s fortunate to land on the side he did.